Company History

Founded in 1977, Thai Union has a rich history of commitment to seafood expertise and innovation. From our beginnings as a canned tuna processor and exporter, we built our business on excellence in customer service and product quality. We now have an OEM international business and a global portfolio of consumer-favorite brands. Our ambitious growth plans are rooted in a commitment to sustainability and forward-looking innovations.

The company acquired a majority stake in Canadian lobster processor Les Pecheries de Chez Nous (Chez Nous), which recorded sales of approximately CAD50 million in 2015. Chez Nous, based in New Brunswick, Canada has direct relationships with fishermen in both Canada and Maine in the northeastern U.S., a processing facility strategically located on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and is investing in a live lobster holding facility

Announced that it has made a USD 575 million strategic investment in Red Lobster Seafood Co., the world’s largest seafood restaurant company. Golden Gate Capital remains majority owner and has retained operational control of Red Lobster, which Thai Union has worked closely with for over two decades. The investment will help build Thai Union’s direct-to-consumer channel

Was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Emerging Markets for the third consecutive year. Thai Union’s SeaChange® sustainability strategy successfully drove the score for Materiality to an industry best-in-class 100th percentile. With strong performances from Business Codes of Conduct, and Labor and Human Rights contributed to the improvements that ranked in the 96th and 91st percentile, respectively. The increase in Thai Union’s score indicates the company’s efforts and discipline in applying sustainable practices and accountability across its business and supply chain are achieving results.

The company announced that it will eliminate recruitment fees for all workers in its factories and processing plants, including workers both from within Thailand and also from overseas. Thai Union’s workforce in Thailand is composed of workers primarily from Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, recruited locally or directly through formal channels engaging licensed recruitment agents in Cambodia and Myanmar. The move follows Thai Union’s continued development of an ethical migrant worker recruitment policy.

Thai Union was nominated for Thomson Reuters Foundation’s inaugural Stop Slavery Award. Providing safe, legal and freely-chosen employment and stamping out labor abuses in the supply chain is of critical importance to the company. In addition to the significant programs in place for its employees, Thai Union is working with a wide range of organizations to ensure that those working in the industry at large are also protected.

Announced an ambitious strategy to ensure 100 percent of its branded tuna is sustainably sourced with a commitment of achieving a minimum of 75 percent by 2020. As part of the new tuna strategy, Thai Union is investing USD 90 million in initiatives that will increase the supply of sustainable tuna. This includes establishing 11 new Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) around the world.

2015

Thai Union implemented a successful global corporate rebranding, bringing all divisions of the organization under the umbrella of a common vision, mission, core values and visual identity, so as to drive alignment towards a common corporate culture. - the name of Thai Union Frozen PCL (TUF) was changed to Thai Union Group PCL (TU). - the name of MW Brands SAS was changed to Thai Union Europe. - the name of Thai Union International Inc. was changed to Thai Union North America Inc.

To accelerate our progress in actionable innovation, Thai Union Group invested over THB 100 million to launch the Global Innovation Incubator (GII) – a world-class R&D facility and the first of its kind in Thailand.

Thai Union Group entered a joint venture with Savola Foods Company, one of the largest consumer goods producers and distributors in the Middle East (including brands such as Afia, Alarabi Ladan and Yudum). The companies will mutually benefit, with Savola gaining increased access to global seafood and Thai Union connecting with regional expertise.

Thai Union's completed acquisition of Orion Seafood International, a leading global supplier of lobster based in the U.S., makes the company's Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods brand a top player in the lobster market, and bolsters its shrimp and crab businesses.

2014

Thai Union PCL broadened its presence in Europe with the acquisition of MerAlliance SAS, the largest producer of smoked salmon in France and the fourth largest Europe-wide.

Thai Union PCL acquired King Oscar AS of Norway, the number one premium shelf-stable sardine brand in Norway, U.S. and Australia, with over 140 years of heritage in quality.

Thai Union Group is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Emerging Markets for the first time, marking international recognition of Thai Union's efforts towards sustainable development. Thai Union Group has been included in the DJSI in 2015 and 2016 as well, increasing its scores each year.

2013

Thai Union PCL signed onto the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, committing to its Ten Principles in developing, implementing and disclosing responsible and sustainable corporate policies and practices. The main pillars of the Global Compact are human rights, environment, labour standards and anti-corruption. In 2015, we began working with other leading organizations in Thailand to establish a local UN Global Compact Network.

In collaboration with the Labour Rights Promotion Network (LPN), Thai Union Group invested THB 10 million to establish two pre-schools in Thailand for the children of Thai Union workers and the local community. Three more pre-schools will be launched by 2020 as part of our commitment to promoting lifelong learning opportunities for our employees and their families.

2012

Thai Union PCL invested 40 percent in Pakfood Public Company Ltd., one of Thailand’s largest seafood and ready-to-eat food processors, and later increased its ownership to 49.97 percent.

2010

Thai Union PCL made its first major expansion into Europe with the acquisition of MW Brands SAS (now Thai Union Europe), producer and distributor of OEM and branded shelf-stable tuna and other seafood. The company's brand portfolio included leading national and regional brands such as John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier and Mareblu.

Thai Union PCL founded US Pet Nutrition LLC to produce and market OEM and branded pet-food and pet-care products in the U.S.

2009

Thai Union PCL co-founded the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). The ISSF’s mission is to undertake and facilitate science-based initiatives for the long-term conservation and sustainable use of global tuna stocks, reducing bycatch and promoting tuna ecosystem health.

Thai Union PCL secured a new processing facility in Papua New Guinea via a 33.33 percent investment in Moresby International Holdings, in partnership with Century Canning Corporation Ltd. and Frabelle Fishing Corporation Ltd.

2008

Thai Union PCL invested in a 14.99 percent stake of India-based Avanti Feeds, a producer of shrimp-feed and shrimp products.

1977-2006

2006

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods was established to market frozen seafood in the U.S., and later merged with Empress International and was renamed Tri-Union Frozen Products, Inc.

2003

Thai Union PCL acquired 100 percent of Empress International Ltd. to improve seafood distribution capabilities in the U.S.

1997

Thai Union PCL made our first overseas investment with the acquisition of Chicken of the Sea, the number three canned tuna brand in the U.S.

1994

Thai Union went public with a listing in the Stock Exchange of Thailand as Thai Union Frozen Products PCL (TUF).

1992

Thai Union entered a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation and Hagoromo Foods Corporation – Thai Union customers and Japan’s major trade, food production and distribution companies. Both corporations played a significant role in developing Thai Union products to meet international standards and become competitive in the world market.

1988

Thai Union Frozen Products PCL was founded with an initial registered capital of THB 25 million. The company primarily produces and exports frozen seafood.

1981

Thai Union subsidiary Songkla Canning PCL was established in April 1981.

1977

Our company was established in August 1977 as Thai Union Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a processor and exporter of canned tuna.